Duke of Shao, whose surname was Ji and given name Shi, was a noble of the same clan as King Wu of the Western Zhou Dynasty. He once assisted the Duke of Zhou in the campaign against King Zhou of Shang, earning renown as a founding hero.
After King Wu of Zhou overthrew the tyrant Zhou, he enfeoffed the Duke of Shao in the Yan region (modern northern Hebei and western Liaoning), historically known as Duke Shao of Yan. Establishing his capital at Ji (the southwestern corner of present-day Beijing), he became the founding ancestor of the Yan state.
Shortly after the Zhou Dynasty was established, King Wu of Zhou fell gravely ill
"I am finished! My son is still young. I hope you two will do your utmost to assist him and revive our Great Zhou realm."
After hearing this, both Shao Gong Shi and Zhou Gong Dan, with tears in their eyes, gave their solemn assent.
After King Wu of Zhou passed away, his young son, Prince Song, ascended the throne as King Cheng of Zhou. King Cheng appointed the Duke of Shao as Grand Protector (equivalent to prime minister) and the Duke of Zhou as Grand Master (commander of the military). The two men, one a civil official and the other a military leader, worked in harmony to assist the young king. Trusting them deeply, King Cheng placed the eastern part of the royal city under the Duke of Zhou's governance and the western part under the Duke of Shao's governance.
During his governance, Lord Shao implemented King Wen's benevolent policies and frequently toured the countryside to understand the people's hardships, earning their deep love and support. He had a particular fondness for a tree called the sweet pear, often holding court and settling disputes beneath its tall branches. His impartiality ensured that both officials and commoners found their proper place, bringing great order to the realm. After his death, the people named this tree "Shao's Sweet Pear" in his memory, and many would visit it to pay respects and mourn their beloved lord.
Later, the idiom "Sweet Pear's Lingering Love" came to be used to praise the benevolence of officials.
Source: *Book of Songs*, "Shao Nan"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "甘棠遗爱" came to describe praise the benevolence of officials.